ISLAND COUNTY: Police escort unmasked observer from elections office

Jessie Stensland reports on the Island County Elections Office for the Whidbey News-Times.

Island County Elections Office made regional news and loomed large on Whidbey Island social media because of two different incidents over the last year.

On Oct. 23, a pile of 32 unopened ballots were found on the side of the street in Oak Harbor, which caused the Elections Office to quickly issue replacements.

Then on Monday, an elections observer for the Island County Republican Party was escorted by police from the ballot counting room after she refused to wear a mask. People posting on the party’s Facebook page called for protests at the county Auditor’s Office.

They Said It

Tracy Abuhl posted a video on Facebook of the Coupeville marshal and a deputy with the Island County Sheriff’s Office escorting her out of the office after she refused to wear a mask to prevent the spread of illness. She claimed that she is an official observer and that her removal was unconstitutional.

Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks said county Auditor Sheilah Crider acted within her legal authority to maintain a safe and healthy workforce.

“More importantly, she fulfilled her duty to ensure this election is conducted with the utmost integrity and free from harm caused by the would-be disrupters,” he said. “The ballot counting room is a sacred space where selfless public servants do the vital work of perpetuating our democracy. It is no place for childish theatrical stunts and baseless claims of constitutional violations.“

Michele Reagan, elections supervisor, said the ballots were outgoing and unopened, so the office was able to notify those people affected and issue them new, dry ballots.

[Ed. Note: Tracy Abuhl is the Vice Chair of the Island County Republican Party.]